*10 points to first experienced answer* Insurance question? Body shop problems.....?

If one side was darker than the other prior to the accident, due to the manufacturer's screw up, what's you're problem? It seems the body shop and insurance company is willing to make the car as it was originally, which in today's world a good deal. If that's the case, maybe you should negotiate a deal with the shop to do the rest of the bumper to your spec's.

In my experience in these matters is that you have the final say where you take your car. The insurance company has pre-approved shops that they like you to take it to but you can pick your own place. I took my truck to a friends shop that was not on their list and all we did was meet one of their adjusters at the shop and they did an estimate. My friend put in their bid and the insurance company okay-ed it. I have had 3 cars repaired in the past couple of years and twice the bumper cover was fixed and blended and you can't even tell. Both of the cars had original paint that was at least 10 years old but the shop made the paint to match. You might want to call around your area to some of your local body shops and get there opinions and suggestions about this. I hope everything works out for you.

You call your agent. Let your agent deal with this. I would NOT want my bumper two different colors. Yes, you can switch body shops.

As long as it is not specified in your policy, you can take your car to whatever shop you want. What company do you have that won't paint your whole bumper? It is only a hundred or two hundred dollars difference. If your car is new, then they should try their best to match the paint even though it is impossible to match factory paint exactly. I am sorry to tell you though that if your insurance company stands firm on this, there is not much you can do. It might be worth it to you to pay the difference to have the whole bumper painted. I would put up a big stink with the claims manager and possibly get your agent involved. Most likely painting half a bumper is not worth losing a company.

How and where repairs can be made is determined by state law (first) then policy language. You didn't mention where you are from; in Ohio you get to choose the body shop and get the choice about OEM or aftermarket parts. Find out what the case is in your state. Another consideration is who caused the accident and which company you're filing the claim through. All this can be determined by asking your agent. Bought from the Lizard? a website? the cartoon chick? You're boned because now you need a real agent. Here's what I did the last time I had a repair: I chose a bodyshop of my own and have them do an estimate of painting and repairing using NEW OEM parts. This will generate the highest estimate. I turned this in and demanded this get done. The claims adjuster had a cow, then I negotiated what I wanted done; your negotiation strength is the ability to agree to cheaper repairs: Used OEM parts, aftermarket parts, insured approved repairers, agree to these if you get what you want, otherwise get the most expensive repair done.

The insurance company's duty is to return the car to pre-accident condition. If there were different colors/shades before, that is all you can hope for after. You have the right to take your vehicle anywhere you choose. That said, the insurance company only owes a rental for the reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle based on their estimate. If you start jumping shops, you will likely be forking over for the end of the rental. PS I have written many estimates, and if the bumper cover is plastic, it will never perfectly match a metal body panel, even if the same batch of paint is sprayed on. The difference is barely perceptable, and was there pre-accident, but people tend to fancy themselves color experts after an accident (when they didn't give a flip before).